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Girls basketball: Manitowoc to host WSICT

Special to HTR Media
Published 3:55 p.m. CT March 24, 2015

Manitowoc will host the Wisconsin State Invitational Championship Basketball Tournament on Saturday and Sunday. The tournament features girls in sixth grade, in divisions 1 and 3.(Photo: Submitted photo)

Manitowoc will host the Wisconsin State Invitational Championship Basketball Tournament on Saturday and Sunday. The tournament is for girls in sixth grade, in divisions 1 and 3, and anticipates bringing 44 teams and over 2,000 spectators for this weekend event.

Games will take place at several Manitowoc locations: Lincoln High School, Jefferson Elementary School, Wilson Junior High School, Washington Junior High School, Roncalli High School and the YMCA. Girls will play as many as three games per day over the two day tournament.

“Teams are coming from all over the state to play here and we want our community to welcome them with open arms,” said Kerry Winans, tournament organizer. “It is our hope that basketball teams and their families are shown a good time while they are here. We would love to host this tournament in future years.”

The tournament is being coordinated locally by three partnering organizations: Down Syndrome Options, Future Lady Ships Basketball and Ships High School Basketball Booster Club. Proceeds from ticket sales and concessions will go to support these three organizations.

The Manitowoc Area Visitor & Convention Bureau is rolling out the red carpet to welcome WSICT to the area. Providing welcome signage at local businesses, providing visitor information to teams and families at the registration area, encouraging local businesses to offer a welcome to girls basketball players and letting area businesses know to expect extra guests in our community that weekend who may be looking for dining, shopping, attractions or outdoor activities during their downtime.

Youth sports tournaments can be a big boost to a community economically.

“The estimated economic impact for a tournament like this is more than $250,000 for our community”, said Jason Ring, President of the Manitowoc Area Visitor & Convention Bureau. “The kids that play and the families that come to watch them spend money at hotels, restaurants, shopping, visiting attractions, getting gas, and other ways, which support local businesses.”

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